Stoughton Youth Hockey
Hockey Development Coordinator
2022-2023 Hockey Development Coordinator
Taylor Shaffer
My name is Taylor Shaffer and I am a Stoughton hockey alumni. I currently work as an Educational Assistant at River Bluff Middle School.
Hockey has always been my passion wether it’s watching games or playing. I started playing when I was 3 years old and played through my senior year of high school. During my youth hockey career I was fortunate enough to go to the state tournament several years. My second year of Bantams our team went to the Silver Stick Regional which we won and because of that we made it to the Silver Stick Finals. At the finals we got the opportunity to play teams from all over the U.S. as well as Canada.
In high school I played on teams every year that were ranked in the top 25 of the state. The best year for us in high school was in 2009. That year we were consistently ranked the number 2 team in the state, we went on to win our second conference championship in as many years and earned the first ever trip in school history to the high school state hockey tournament. After my senior year I decided to take an offer to play tennis in college over continuing my hockey career at the junior hockey level.
As I finished up college and started to work I realized I wanted to give back to Stoughton hockey because it was such a big part of my life and why I am who I am today. I have been the peewee coach the last 2 years. Last year we had a great season we were region 4 champions and went to state. At state we were the consolation champions. I have also helped out at the Hockey Factory program in our offseason. I look forward to working with all the skaters this coming year and helping out the program.
About The Role
This works under the Director of Hockey Operations (DOHO). This person in this position is not a board member position, however the HDC is strongly encouraged to attend board meetings when applicable to Hockey Development issues.
At the June Board Meeting the Director of Hockey will identify candidates for board consideration for discussion. The new board will discuss the candidate's credentials and make their decision by the July Board meeting for upcoming years HDC. The board does have the right to ask the DOHO for more candidates if the candidates brought before the board consideration do not meet criteria or questions on qualifications arise.
Expectations Of the Hockey Development Coordinator:
- Work with all age level skaters or coaches a minimum of 3 times each per month on the ice.
- Work in conjunction with the DOHO and High School coaches to execute a mutually agreed upon skating/skills plan along with a “Hockey Strategy” plan.
- Review and assist coaches in creating (when requested) and executing practice plans.
- Assist the DOHO in ensuring that the development schedule is being adhered too.
- Assist DOHO in developing a tryout schedule for age levels with multiple teams
- When additional ice is available provide skills and development practices for individual age levels.
- Help evaluate skaters at all age levels and benchmark the skaters strengths and weaknesses. This should be done monthly.
Qualifications of the Hockey Development Coordinator:
- Preferably would be a non-parent coach - Parent coaches will not be eligible for this position In the case that an exceptionally qualified parent coach is willing to do this the board would consider.
- Played at minimum high school level hockey
- Should be 30 years of age at the beginning of the season.
- Has experience working with youth
- Completes all USA Hockey and WAHA Coaching requirements for every age level.
- Should be organized
- Communicates well with skaters, parents, and DOHO